1 Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada, ngshrive@ucalgary.ca
2 Coordinator, Canada Masonry Design Centre Calgary Office, 2725 12th St NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 7J2, Canada, guzman@canadamasonrycentre.com
ABSTRACT
Clauses for the design of masonry arches have been introduced into the Canadian masonry design standard (CSA S304) for the first time. In the engineered section the clauses are purposefully broad in concept as there are so many possibilities for arch shape, span and depth. Specifics, for example on how many spandrels should be placed in a road or railway bridge are avoided, as is lateral stability of the arch. The clauses therefore are aimed at the design of the arch itself, requiring design as a fixed arch if the abutments are fixed. The alternative is for the designer to allow for estimated relative movement of the abutments or design the arch as a two-pin arch. In the assessment of live-loading, stability is considered allowing a maximum of three hinge locations to be produced. These can be reinforced. For more information on arch analysis and design, the designer is referred to a document available from the Canada Masonry Design Centre. Tables have been developed for the empirical section of the code specifying minimum column widths for low-rise arches of different spans and depths supported on columns. The formulae and basis of the calculations are provided. This is to allow designers to use small span arches in veneers of either brick or block without having to do detailed calculations.
KEYWORDS: arch, design, analysis
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